Updates to Work Hour Policies for International Students in Canada

Starting this fall, the Canadian government has set new limits on the number of hours international students can work off-campus during the academic term. Instead of extending the temporary measure that allowed more than 20 hours of work per week, students will now be limited to 24 hours per week during classes.

Key Points of the New Policy

• Work Hours: International students can work up to 24 hours per week during the school term, focusing on balancing study and work without compromising educational goals.
• Financial Requirements: Students must also demonstrate they have $20,635 in addition to tuition fees to support themselves.
• Work During Breaks: Students can still work unlimited hours during academic breaks as long as they are enrolled for the next semester.
  
  

Why the Change?

The decision to cap work hours at 24 instead of increasing them to 30, as previously considered, is to prevent students from prioritizing work over their studies and to maintain the academic integrity of their educational pursuits.

Other Updates

The process for obtaining a study permit now includes obtaining a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) from the province of the student's designated learning institution. This is part of broader efforts to manage the number of study permits and ensure institutions adequately support international students.

Conclusion

These updates are designed to ensure international students in Canada can effectively manage their work and studies, reflecting the government's commitment to maintaining the quality of its educational offerings and the well-being of its international student body.